MP3Car.com - Operating System Optimization

Windows xp hibernation issue

rizaydog — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:46:25 GMT

I decided to upgrade my old laptop hard drive to a larger SSD drive. After installing a fresh copy of xp, I installed all of the software I had on my other hard drive. Roadrunner, Iguidance, winamp, windows media player classic ect... In the control panel, I change the power option to hibernate just like I had done before. Now when I shut my car off, I get the screen that says hibernating. After about 30 seconds, the pc hibernates but then reboots. It stays on for a minute and hibernates again. This cycle continues. The only way I can stop it is to quickly change the hibernation back to power off.

Any idea what could be the cause/solution?

What windows would you use?

wmguk — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:55:17 GMT

Hi All,

I've got an Intel DG945GSEJT motherboard - Atom N270 1.6 Processor - 1GHz Ram running in a voom pc.

I've already bought CF3.6, and im planning running bluetooth for car kit, itunes and sat nav - thats all at the moment.

I currently have XP pro SP3 installed, but I'm wondering if I should be using win7 or anything else.... I really want it completely stripped out so it loads really quickly...

What would you suggest?

Microsoft Announces Windows 8 Embedded plans

SFiorito — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 02:08:58 GMT

So, good to finally hear news on the Embedded front for Windows 8! I even cornered a couple MS Engineers at BUILD and asked them, but no one had any details at the time.

What's really exciting are the speed improvements with EFI booting and most importantly the ARM support. It'll be interesting to see what ARM devices will be compatible with Win8 embedded and if it'll even be a viable option for the hobby community.

http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/F...14RoadMap.mspx

What are the reasons for using Windows Embedded?

Carson Dyle — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 04:55:18 GMT

Is it just to minimize memory, CPU or disk space requirements?

If that's the case, it would seem that a system based on something like an Intel i3 or Atom or AMD Fusion platform and several gigabytes of memory would have minimal need for such an OS.

Hybrid-sleep, Win7 trying to solve a strange problem.

Mickz — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 02:32:29 GMT

I recently changed to a larger backup battery and decided to give sleep mode another try.

1. Sleep/resume works perfectly.
2. Hibernate/resume works perfectly.

When I say they work independently and perfectly I mean each can resume day in and day out perfectly! So there are NO hardware/SW issues with USB, drivers, software, video or the SSD.

If I enable Hybrid sleep the PC will resume from sleep in 2 seconds perfectly � every time.

My reasons for wanting to use this mode is to allow for a quick resume from hibernate if +5v standby power fails.

Now when using hibernate alone you can do ANYTHING to +5v SB. You can remove USB devices when powered down, you can remove all power and reconnect and the PC will resume from Hibernate perfectly, as it should, every time.

Again:
It NEVER fails to resume from hibernate.
It NEVER fails to resume from sleep.

If �Hybrid Sleep� is enabled and I remove +5v SB, the PC will correctly try and resume from the hibernate file, however it fails every time right at the end of resume with a black screen and blinking cursor in the top LH corner.

Windows MUST be doing something different when it writes the hibernate file in Hybrid sleep as opposed to Hybrid alone.

Anyone had/having a similar problem?

Win7 installed to USB Stick

clubfed112 — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 21:19:03 GMT

Hi all,
I have been searching for awhile to see if this is doable. I currently have my car pc setup and has been running well for about a year. However it has become an issue lately that when I hit a bump my hard drive will skip and freeze my system. I wanted to see if there is anyway to eliminate the hard drive all together and install windows (xp, vista, 7, whatever) to a 16gb flash drive that I have. Essentially have the system boot from there and not use the hard drive at all.

Has this been done? any how-to's or guides?

Thanks!

Windows 8 ultra fast cold boot preview

RipplingHurst — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 18:26:20 GMT

Engadget:

http://www.viddler.com/explore/engadget/videos/3167/

Quote:

Rather than closing both the user session and the kernel session like in a traditional shutdown, Windows 8 will preserve the kernel session on the disk, thus creating a "hiberfile" that's much smaller than that of the usual Windows hibernation -- see the diagram after the break for a clearer idea. The result? An amazingly fast system bootup -- even with the battery removed to begin with -- that claims to be 30 to 70 percent faster than most systems tested by Microsoft.

Looks promising. What was it, 3 secs? I could live with 3x that, no problem...Too bad my bios still will take longer. Why do we still need bios (the way it is now?)? We should be able to save the last hardware configuration and skip detection altogether, unless you press f1 or whatever. Initialize all saved hardware and pass on to the OS.

win 7 sleep problem

patrik999 — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 07:23:07 GMT

hi guys! :)

I have a problem with puting my car pc into sleep mode

it's a notebook with a healthy battery, until now I had another notebook with a bad battery so when I killed the power, it went off in several minutes, but for this one the sleep option is a must and it won't sleep if centrafuse is running...

It seems that centrafuse won't let it sleep

I set it to sleep after one minute when on battery(when I remove my key from the ignition) but it won't do it if centrafuse is running(music is playing, navigation is running or something)

if cf is running and the music is playing, it won't go to sleep, but if there is no music playing, it will...

I found in performance tools of win7 an option if the music is playing(in general) that will enable it to sleep but it doesn't work regarding cf...

I'm running cf 3.5 on win 7 ultimate edition..

can this be fixed? how to tell the computer to ignore running programs and go to sleep?

Windows Aero sucks.. :(

OpenFasciata — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:12:55 GMT

For several bug / incompatibilities, we are forced to use Windows Aero.

But Aero itself has more incompatibilities and problems with way more software/hardware,
but mainly it's problematic with intensive solutions (3D, video, highend imaging etc).

Those USB monitors are ideal for high end situations, but aero is just not done!
It uses too many resources and causes problems.

Can you please take care of the Aero requirement?

I'd tried it for quite some time, and Aero simply doesn't function!
So it's either having major problems, many of them, or not use Aero and have no problems beside the usb monitor.

The choice is easy, no USB monitor, but I bet that is not what is intended.
Please fix this long known bug!

Thank you.

HORM configured, still want hibernating.

GSRT18 — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 23:41:41 GMT

Hey guys, just wondering if anyone has been able to do this. What I want, is to leave HORM set up, but instead of shutting down the computer, be able to hibernate like normal (without modifying the HORM file) and resume on startup. This way the Carpc can stay in Hibernation until the PSU notices the battery going flat, and hard cut off with the safety of HORM. Anyone done this?

Need help with grub bootloader

locs4dayz — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 18:23:41 GMT

Can grub be used to boot anything other than a physical HDD or physical flash drive partition?How?

I have tried everything I can find online, but nothing works. I know it can't boot iso's, but can it boot any other type of file from the physical HDD successfully???

How do I boot a file or virtual hard disk image from grub? Really need an answer on this!

Is there a way to change the guest GUI in Tiny 7?

locs4dayz — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 18:20:44 GMT

I've been trying to change the user interface in the guest account in Tiny 7. I changed the guest account permissions to administrator, but regedit won't write the change. :noidea:

Anyone know of a workaround???

Thanks in advance!!!

How to add Recovery options to Win 7 bootloader!!!!!!

locs4dayz — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 22:52:40 GMT

I am in the process of tweaking my carpc's three OS's so that I can either access the other OS's or their recovery options from whichever bootloader I am working from at the time. This feature will come in handy should I need to recover usability from any OS on my carpc without the need for original installation discs.

ADDING Windows 7 Recovery option.....

First I copied the contents of the Win 7 Recovery CD that I downloaded and burned to a folder in my windows directory named "Windows 7 Recovery". Using EasyBCD in Win 7 I then created a WinPE entry to my bootloader using the boot.wim file in the created folder. I renamed the boot entry to "Windows 7 Recovery"(although it doesn't change the entry name on the actual bootloader when I rebooted...did this so I would know what it is should I ever need to edit again). Worked like a charm(it will ask for your password if you have one set before allowing you to get to the repair options screen, so be sure to have it on hand)!!!

*NOTE: Windows 7 Recovery will not detect your Windows 7 installation unless a windows partition is set active(doesn't matter which one). Since my Ubuntu partition is the active one since I use the grub bootloader, I have installed Easeus Partition Manager onto my XP and Win 7 installations just in case I need to set a windows partition active to use Windows 7 Recovery to recover Windoes 7, and to use it to set Ubuntu back to active once the operation is completed. XP's Recovery Console will work regardless of what partition is active(but will set the XP partition active once completed).

....next post will detail how to add XP's Recovery Console to Win 7's bootloader, so subscribe to this thread!!!

Trying to boot vhd's from grub! Almost there!!!!

locs4dayz — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 09:30:14 GMT

I am trying to boot two separate vhd's from grub in order to have recovery options for XP and Windows 7 as bootable recovery menu options on my carpc. Here is my updated menu.1st file....

# menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
# grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not use 'savedefault' or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 2

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 10

## hiddenmenu
# Hides the menu by default (press ESC to see the menu)
#hiddenmenu

# Pretty colours
#color cyan/blue white/blue

#A splash image for the menu
splashimage=/boot/grub/splashimages/Splash.xpm.gz

## password ['--md5'] passwd
# If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
# control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
# command 'lock'
# e.g. password topsecret
## password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
# password topsecret

#
# examples
#
# title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader +1
#
# title Linux
# root (hd0,1)
# kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
#

#
# Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
## by the debian update-grub script except for the default options below

## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

## ## Start Default Options ##
## default kernel options
## default kernel options for automagic boot options
## If you want special options for specific kernels use kopt_x_y_z
## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8=root=/dev/hdc1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8_2_686=root=/dev/hdc2 ro
# kopt=root=UUID=fe3c0e7e-1e19-4702-b6cd-5bcd8bea9f18 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=fe3c0e7e-1e19-4702-b6cd-5bcd8bea9f18

## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. alternative=true
## alternative=false
# alternative=true

## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. lockalternative=true
## lockalternative=false
# lockalternative=false

## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=quiet splash

## should update-grub lock old automagic boot options
## e.g. lockold=false
## lockold=true
# lockold=false

## Xen hypervisor options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenhopt=

## Xen Linux kernel options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenkopt=console=tty0

## altoption boot targets option
## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
## altoptions=(recovery) single
# altoptions=(recovery mode) single

## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
## alternative kernel options
## e.g. howmany=all
## howmany=7
# howmany=all

## specify if running in Xen domU or have grub detect automatically
## update-grub will ignore non-xen kernels when running in domU and vice versa
## e.g. indomU=detect
## indomU=true
## indomU=false
# indomU=detect

## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
## e.g. memtest86=true
## memtest86=false
# memtest86=false

## should update-grub adjust the value of the default booted system
## can be true or false
# updatedefaultentry=false

## should update-grub add savedefault to the default options
## can be true or false
# savedefault=false

## ## End Default Options ##

title 1) CarPC Operating Systems Menu
root

title __________________________________________________ ___________________
root

title Start My CarPC Using Windows XP Professional
root (hd0,0)
chainloader +1

title Start My CarPC Using Windows 7 Ultimate
root (hd0,3)
chainloader +1

title Start My CarPC Using Linux Ubuntu 9.04
uuid fe3c0e7e-1e19-4702-b6cd-5bcd8bea9f18
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-generic root=UUID=fe3c0e7e-1e19-4702-b6cd-5bcd8bea9f18 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-generic
quiet

###This is the recovery options menu###

title __________________________________________________ ___________________
root

title 2) CarPC Emergency Recovery Options
root

title __________________________________________________ ___________________
root

title Windows XP Professional Recovery
root (hd0,2)
chainloader (hd0,2)/UbuntuXpRecovery.vhd/i386/SMSS.exe

title Windows 7 Ultimate Recovery
root (hd0,2)
chainloader (hd0,2)/Ubuntu7Recovery.vhd/Sources/boot.wim

title Linux Ubuntu 9.04 Recovery
uuid fe3c0e7e-1e19-4702-b6cd-5bcd8bea9f18
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-generic root=UUID=fe3c0e7e-1e19-4702-b6cd-5bcd8bea9f18 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-generic

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST###

Grub won't boot iso's but will boot vhd's. I had to create the vhd's using the disk management tool in Windows 7. Both are fixed size vhd's since grub only supports these type virtual hard drives. I made a 50mb one for XP's recovery console cd and a 190mb one for the Windows 7 Recovery Disc. then I copied the content of the CD's to their respective vhd. I then saved both vhd's to the root folder of my Ubuntu installation. I was able to get both working in Windows 7 using EasyBCD, so I know they were made correctly. However, when I run them from the grub bootloader, I get the message that the file is not found from both menu options when I try to boot from them. Can someone take a look at my menu.1st and tell me what I'm missing here?

UPDATE: going to try this and see if it works...

title Windows XP Professional Recovery
device --mem(hd0,2)/UbuntuXpRecovery.vhd/i386/SMSS.exe
device --hook
chainloader (hd0,2)+1
rootnoverify (hd0,2)
boot

title Windows 7 Ultimate Recovery
device --mem(hd0,2)/Ubuntu7Recovery.vhd/Sources/boot.wim
device --hook
chainloader (hd0,2)+1
rootnoverify (hd0,2)
boot

What do you think?

Thanks in advance!!!

Need help booting iso from grub!!!

locs4dayz — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 19:38:28 GMT

I am trying to edit my menu.1st so that I can use it to boot an ISO saved to my HDD as a menu option. I am triple booting(XP,Win 7, and Ubuntu 9.04). Ubuntu installs a recovery option by default. XP has to be manually installed, which I have done. Win 7 only has the option available from the CD.

What I did was saved a copy of both the XP Recovery Console CD and the Win 7 Repair Disc CD to the root folder of my Ubuntu installation. I am trying to setup my carpc so that each OS has a recovery option available from the Grub boot menu(don't want to have to keep track of CD's should I need to repair an OS installation in the car). After hours of googling I have gotten close to what I'm looking to accomplish. Here is what my menu.1st looks like as of the moment....

# menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
# grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not use 'savedefault' or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 2

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 10

## hiddenmenu
# Hides the menu by default (press ESC to see the menu)
#hiddenmenu

# Pretty colours
#color cyan/blue white/blue

#A splash image for the menu
splashimage=/boot/grub/splashimages/Splash.xpm.gz

## password ['--md5'] passwd
# If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
# control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
# command 'lock'
# e.g. password topsecret
## password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
# password topsecret

#
# examples
#
# title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader +1
#
# title Linux
# root (hd0,1)
# kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
#

#
# Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
## by the debian update-grub script except for the default options below

## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

## ## Start Default Options ##
## default kernel options
## default kernel options for automagic boot options
## If you want special options for specific kernels use kopt_x_y_z
## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8=root=/dev/hdc1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8_2_686=root=/dev/hdc2 ro
# kopt=root=UUID=fe3c0e7e-1e19-4702-b6cd-5bcd8bea9f18 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=fe3c0e7e-1e19-4702-b6cd-5bcd8bea9f18

## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. alternative=true
## alternative=false
# alternative=true

## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. lockalternative=true
## lockalternative=false
# lockalternative=false

## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=quiet splash

## should update-grub lock old automagic boot options
## e.g. lockold=false
## lockold=true
# lockold=false

## Xen hypervisor options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenhopt=

## Xen Linux kernel options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenkopt=console=tty0

## altoption boot targets option
## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
## altoptions=(recovery) single
# altoptions=(recovery mode) single

## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
## alternative kernel options
## e.g. howmany=all
## howmany=7
# howmany=all

## specify if running in Xen domU or have grub detect automatically
## update-grub will ignore non-xen kernels when running in domU and vice versa
## e.g. indomU=detect
## indomU=true
## indomU=false
# indomU=detect

## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
## e.g. memtest86=true
## memtest86=false
# memtest86=false

## should update-grub adjust the value of the default booted system
## can be true or false
# updatedefaultentry=false

## should update-grub add savedefault to the default options
## can be true or false
# savedefault=false

## ## End Default Options ##

title 1) CarPC Operating Systems Menu
root

title __________________________________________________ ___________________
root

title Start My CarPC Using Windows XP Professional
root (hd0,0)
chainloader +1

title Start My CarPC Using Windows 7 Ultimate
root (hd0,3)
chainloader +1

title Start My CarPC Using Linux Ubuntu 9.04
uuid fe3c0e7e-1e19-4702-b6cd-5bcd8bea9f18
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-generic root=UUID=fe3c0e7e-1e19-4702-b6cd-5bcd8bea9f18 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-generic
quiet

###This is the recovery options menu###

title __________________________________________________ ___________________
root

title 2) CarPC Emergency Recovery Options
root

title __________________________________________________ ___________________
root

title Windows XP Professional Recovery
drivemap --mem(hd0,2)/RecoveryConsole.iso (hd0,2)
drivemap --hook
chainloader (hd0,2) +1
rootnoverify (hd0,2)
boot

title Windows 7 Ultimate Recovery
drivemap --mem(hd0,2)/Win7RepairDisc.iso (hd0,2)
drivemap --hook
chainloader (hd0,2) +1
rootnoverify (hd0,2)
boot

title Linux Ubuntu 9.04 Recovery
uuid fe3c0e7e-1e19-4702-b6cd-5bcd8bea9f18
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-generic root=UUID=fe3c0e7e-1e19-4702-b6cd-5bcd8bea9f18 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-generic

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LISTAttachment 60559

Tiny Windows 7

locs4dayz — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 06:37:39 GMT

I just installed Tiny Windows 7 as a third OS on my now triple boot carpc just so I could experience Windows 7 on my machine in the car(using an M10000 mobo, which isn't very fast and I am simply amazed at how fast this version of windows runs on my hardware...imagine if I had updated hardware starting with my mobo...wow!). No activation is needed cause its already activated and unattended except for the beginning of the installation where you choose which drive or partition to install to. I will only be using it like a standard desktop installation for standard desktop use, cause I don't want anything running that will slow it down. Plus I prefer to leave this as the only OS in my installation that is truly the regular desktop experience. Even got a webcam installed into the dash. My carpc will be perfect once I get an SSD, so that my applications will open and run quicker(my 7200rpm HHD runs great now by the way)!!!

If you have old hardware, but want to have a system that is responsive and has a new OS version, this version is aimed to please...just my thoughts and user opinion!!!

How to recover data after a virus?

jeriffstive — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 11:22:17 GMT

My labtop was infected by a trojan virus i was not able to restore from an earlier setting. I did get rid of the virus and reinstalled windows vista but now i want to recover my word documents and pictures and other programs but i do not know how. How can i recover all my data?

Windows 7 Problem

IslandBoi — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 17:14:05 GMT

I am running windows 7 ultimate on my carpc, It was the only dvd i had for install rather than xp. I managed to turn off all the features that comes with ultimate edition. The problem i am having is windows 7 crashes alot for some strange reason. I get a bluescreen...my windows restarts automatically. Anyone know where i can get a copy of windows 7 embedded? With features and services disabled. Anyone got any ideas?

Should i switch over to xp?

Should i reinstall windows 7 and put home edition?

Should i do a windows repair and a sfc /scannow command for this o/s?

Windows Embedded 7 + iPod = no worky

tundra2000 — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 04:36:05 GMT

hey everyone, long time since ive posted here....

my problem today is i installed windows embedded 7 and simply cannot get it to recognize my ipod as a device. windows doesnt know what to do with it (just sits as an unknown device in device manager) and itunes certainly doesnt recognize it. it goes without saying that centrafuse doesnt see it either

>>ive installed nearly everything available (all the USB drivers i could find) and it doesnt see it. when i did automatic detect drivers for what was attached, it didnt come up with any drivers -so i dont think there are any...?

my question: is anybody here running windows embedded 7 and have ipod drivers working?

Win7 32bit or 64bit?

checksum — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 00:54:21 GMT

Hello,

I have a 64 bit processor and was wondering if I should install windows 7 32bit or 64bit. Would it make a difference in a carputer environment?

Hibernates but nothing running??

_andy — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:17:16 GMT

Hey guys, a bit weird this. I have a fairly new Via EPIA cn13000 mainboard with 1 gig of 533MHz DDR2 ram and am running XP with SP3 installed. The system works as expected and I have the double throw switch for permanent or ignition on etc. I am using the M2 ATX HV power supply

My problem comes when XP hibernates. It goes down fine after the alloted time. If I then restart the car, the BIOS loads and then I get the resuming windows message as expected but once the desktop loads, there is nothign else running, ie all other programs have been shutdown. As first I thought this was my custom software but in debug mode, it registers the hibernation suspend mode and thats it. Its almost like XP is actually restarting from cold, even though it says its resuming from hibernation. I tried with other programs such as media player and even just explorer windows but they all just close down or are not running.

Has anyone else experienced similar symptoms or can you point me in the right direction of where to start looking for a fix as I am totally stumped after a week of looking...

I googled this problem but got no specific hits, just problems with USB devices after resume..? Anyone out there able to help? Thanks

Windows 8 team focused on instant-on

RipplingHurst — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:49:44 GMT

Just heard about this. Looks interesting, hopefully it can be done.

Quote:

Microsoft's key area of focus appears to be performance and instant-on systems. "Windows 8 PC's turn on fast, nearly instantly in some cases, and are ready to work without any long or unexpected delays. When customers want to check e-mail, sports scores, or play media they love to reach for their PCs because they can get to what they want quickly."

In what appears to be suggestions to OEMs, Microsoft details Windows 8 investments under consideration. Focusing on POST performance, S3 resume performance and general performance optimizations for each of the Off states are the key areas of improvement that Microsoft is aiming for with Windows 8 and Windows 8 enabled PCs.

(source)

That's the great thing about the iPad and smart phones. No resume from hibernation problems, actually that's their default and expected mode of operation. PCs should be like that, even if you need to fit a small battery to make it work safely, ALWAYS.

Tiny 7 OSK

Danger_MouseUK — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:13:53 GMT

I need to add the On-Screen Keyboard back into Tiny7, what files to i need to copy from a full Windows 7 installation?

Many Thanks

XP Hybernation Resume Fails - help

tempgp — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:52:46 GMT

Hey all!
Ok i meessed up with my CarPC unit and now im getting problem with hybernation resume sequance.

Here what happens:
1. Cold Boot - OK
2. Hybernate System (halt down)
3. Power Off
----- Now we sart PC for warm boot ----
4. Presss power button
5. I see Windows Resuming window with bottom progress bar
6. All over the sudden system goes to Reboot
7. I see message "Hybernation failed, and 2 lines on which i can delete image or continue bootong"
8. I select dete image boot up the system and when i hybernate, who thing happens again...

I do not change any hardware during the hybernation, I even unplugeg all unnesesary USB device, so I only have GPS, TouchScreen and OBD2 connected to the system.

This really keeps annying as any time i get in the car i have to wait to see that screen and then go back to tranck and hit eneter key to remove corupted hybernation image....

I hope some one can give me and advice... otherwise i will have to pull the system out and debug it on my desk :(

:yield:

Please help: I think I have bricked my head unit

JeremyT — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:58:18 GMT

Hi there,

Ok, stupid stupid stupid, but I have been trying to reflash Windows CE on my Chinese 2-DIN gps head unit, since a couple of folks have succeeded in changing the language from Chinese to English, being able to actually store all settings made, etc.

I have followed the instructions here (post from zygo10)and have downloaded "updated firmware with wince5 in english".

So I had the files on a SD card, pointed the head unit to the executable and the Windows CE Sysupdate tool came up. I pressed the FLASH button, it started flashing, told me it had been completed succesfully and the instructions then said I had to power off and on again.

And all I got after powering on again is a white screen. That's it. No reaction on pressing the screen or any of buttons/steering wheel control, other than the white (and backlighted screen) it is completely dead.

Resetting it using the reset hole does turn it off, but the white screen's still there when powering on again.
Inserting the SD with that update again doesn't do anything, both when the unit is on or when I power it on with the SD card inserted.
I have also tried the files called "original firmware with wince5 in chinese", but without result.

Ok, again, stupid stupid stupid, I should have known better, but is there a genius here that knows how I can possibly fix this bricky mess?

I will be forever thankful.

minlogon defaulting to 640x480 res every boot :(

djivesp — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 11:24:04 GMT

Hey all!

I've done the minlogon trick which has pretty much halved the boot time, which is great!
BUT it keeps booting to 640x480 and I need 800x600 as that's my touchscreens native res.

I have tried searching, but not much info on this particular problem. Seems to have to do something with the 'user' type that minlogon logs on with. More searching reveals it's because minlogon runs you on a 'System' account.

Anyone know how to fix this? Any way to force this in the registry? Tried powerstrip - so it pops the resolution up to 800x600 every time centrafuse runs, but it doesn't work all the time wtf!

Thanks all.

Resume from hibernation longer than cold boot?

tom04841 — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 23:51:00 GMT

If it shut down the computer, and do a fresh start up, it takes about 30-35 seconds consistantly. Now if i resume from hibernation, it takes well over a minute. what gives?

Windows 7 touchscreen wierdness

nst6563 — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 04:11:12 GMT

So I made the leap to Windows 7. It's been nice, fast, very responsive. However...I have one issue...and it's a big one I'm hoping someone else here can chime in and give some ideas I've not thought of.

It boots up very fast. Everything works as planned with the exception of the touchscreen stops working after about 5 minutes. Completely stops working. Every once in awhile I can get it to work again by plugging in and unplugging a usb device to the front hub. Most of the time that doesn't work though.

I've disabled all powersaving garbage. Checked each USB hub, root, and device listed in device manager and disabled any powersaving through that as well. The front hub is a powered hub, and this was never an issue with XP...so it's definately something in w7 that's causing it.

I'm going to re-install all of it in the next couple days to see if I can "fix" it with a re-installation but I'm not too confident that it will solve anything. Any ideas? (besides the usual "go back to XP" :lol: )

Win XP install question -- dual boot

halestorm — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:21:32 GMT

I've been working on trimmed win xp installations using nLite to use with Centrafuse (I think I have it; will post after further tests). The last ISO I attempted to put onto a USB memory stick and boot from that following these instructions. It got through the part of the install process where it copies files to the HD and reboots itself. At that point it said a file (hal.dll) was missing or corrupt. I didn't want to fuss with the USB memory stick any more so I just copied my ISO to a DVD+RW and re-installed.

On this second time through installing Windows, I performed only a quick format on the existing partition. The install succeeded.

Now when I boot I am given a LILO-style screen where I can choose to boot one of the following operating systems: Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Home Edition. That's right, they are the same, except one is the first attempt that failed and the other is the install that actually works.

I'm not a Windows guy . . . presumably the first install is not even there but only something in the MBR. Yes? If so, where / how do I change this? I don't want to just install again since it seems from this experience I'd then have three choices.

Thanks,

Windows XP Embedded,Win7, or Linux?

tigergibb — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:43:38 GMT

I've been wanting to redo all the software on my CarPC for a while now. I can get a free copy of Windows XP Embedded and Windows 7 Professional through my school (don't care if the XPe image has a time limit or not because I can just make a new image if it does). Linux, naturally, is free. Right now it takes about 1 minute from power to usability with TinyXP.. I'd like to decrease that as much as possible. I have quite a few devices.

Here's what I use now that I can think of:
RoadRunner (Outdated version, don't remember which)
DigitalFX2.5 skin
Older version of Winamp
BU353 GPS Unit/w iGuidance 3
7" Lilliput usb touchscreen(works on and off with Xenarc controller)
Outdated Netgear 802.11b USB wifi dongle
IDE CD-RW/DVD-ROM Drive
Wireless USB Mini-Keyboard
PS2 Touchpad Mouse

As it's obvious, it's time to at least update my software. What is everyone's recommendations? Also, I can keep iGuidance3 or get MapPoint2009/2004 through my school for free.

I'm trying to do this as cheaply and efficiently as possible.

Help with Windows 7 power settings

cjrokke — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:18:47 GMT

So I've been trying to configure my software for days now and I've run into a few problems. One of which having to do with the power settings in Windows 7.

I would like to set it up so that when I turn off my car (hit the power button) it will go to sleep. So far, I think it does that OK. I run into the problem because after a certain amount of time (~30 minutes) being asleep, I would like it to go into hibernation.

Ive been playing with the power settings and for the most part have not even been able to save the settings I put in (they would appear to save, but next time I go into the power settings, they would be default settings again).

I finally got it to actually save and I set the power button to make it go to sleep, and for it to go into hibernation in 5 minutes (for testing purposes). So I pressed the power button and it went to sleep no problem. Then I let it sit for 15 minutes and nothing happened (it didn't go into hibernate mode):mad:. Then when I pressed the power button to wake it back up, nothing happened again!

Assistance please. I am at a loss.

xport autostart win7 UAC issues...?

0okami — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:39:23 GMT

Hey, im trying to get XPORT to auto start when windows7 starts.
I set the shortcut into startup and even gave it admin privileges.

When i reboot, i dont see the application anywhere.
When I run it manually UAC dims the desktop and it asks if i want to allow it to run. How can i set this app only to run without asking me that?

I know I can turn off UAC, but i rather not. Is there a work around to this? :peep:

Anyone know how to stop messages from appearing or stop them from coming on top?

cjrokke — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:08:19 GMT

Alright so while setting up my PC, I remembered reading a thread (cant find it now) where the person set their computer to sleep when the power button was pressed, then to hibernate after being idle for 30 minutes. I did a similar set up to allow me to make quick stops and not have to resume my PC from hibernation. In attempt to stop the PC from hibernating while I'm driving, I scheduled a tack that makes a window appear every 30 minutes. It is set to do this indefinitely and not wake the computer to do it. My issue now is that the message window becomes the active window whenever it occurs. It is less of an annoyance than the computer hibernating while driving, but it is still annoying, and I'm wondering if you guys have any suggestions of how I can stop it from being brought to the top window position. I'm not sure if this will even keep it from hibernating yet because I've not let my computer sit for the duration until hibernation.

XP embedded

drummerian — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:13:27 GMT

Hey guys,

I can get a free copy of xp embedded through my school. Is it worth changing my existing setup (xp) to xp embedded?

thanks

Tiny7 - Hybrid Sleep not available

incognico — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:56:49 GMT

As per title, I can't seem to get the hybrid sleep option to appear in my build. VIA MII-12000, Tiny7 rev 1.

"powercfg - a" shows S1, S3, and Hibernate are available, however hybrid sleep is not. No reason is given, it's just listed under modes that are not supported :confused:

Sleep and Hibernate both work fine.

Anyone have any thoughts as to why this option is not available, or how I might enable it? Anyone have hybrid sleep working on an MII-12000? Tiny7 rev 1?

Frustrating! :(

--Nick
Perth, Australia

XP starting and shrinking

Bman02 — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:21:26 GMT

what would be a good base to start with xp would pre sp1 or sp3 be the best to use should i install all the hotfixes.. or only security or just things that would relate to what im using

-also i have used nlite to shrink has anyone else got a lastsession.ini they used there willing to share or info on what cant be removed to be able to use everything

-what other options are there than nlite

-if using wifi, or phone as a modem would i need a virus scanner or would running a sandbox like sandboxie be alright

-any other information to do with xp that can help me.. like xp programs etc (eg names, etc so i can search for them)

Can we remove this msgs?

lidlleecher — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:30:28 GMT

Hi, interested in removing this msgs without using minlogon, the only thing i use minlogon for is for removing this msgs from my restart, shutdown, and startup windows, so if is there some other way to do it, because i have read that minlogon is buggy and i want to use the standart winlogon, just without this msgs:

64 bit worklog (Vista, 7, XP)

JuniorGeezer — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:35:27 GMT

Doing a mainboard swap and Vista 64 install to support 8 GB of RAM for photo editing.

This is a work log helping me to remember things and to help out the next guy with Vista 64.

Before I started, I anticipated possible problems in these areas:
800x480 display
Touchscreen
GPS receiver
6 Channel active audio with ASIO4All, Console and Virtual audio cable
Hibernate and resume
Volume Control

Follow the thread for progress in these areas.

Mainboard Asrock ALiveNF7G-FullHD R3.0
CPU AMD Athlon 64 x2 4850e
2 GB RAM

I initially tried to install a Wndows 7 64 bit Release candidate. I started installing OK but after a few reboots it got stuck in a reboot loop.

Vista 64 install went easy. Initially I had 1 GB or RAM and the disk rattled without end. Vista has this new monitor that can show disk I/O and part of the rattling was page file access. After I installed 2 GB the rattling went away after the system had installed a gazillion updates.

The Nvidia Ethernet driver has a hidden firewall. It has multiple names, one of them is NAM. There's nowhere a place to be found to switch it off and apparently no Nvidia documentation how to do so. In the Programs control panel, there's no option to uninstall it. The Nvidia firewall silently corrupts downloads without the slightest hint of an error message or warning. Nvidia's own driver downloads are corrupted too. You get non-working installs. I already lost an hour or two on this and it's still unresolved. I think it's pathetic and the people at Nvidia responsible for this are insane. Now that the install is in the car I use WLAN so the problem stays hidden to bite me some time later.

800x480 display
After you install the latest Nvidia Display driver, you get the custom resolution thingy. Create a custom resolution and press the Test button. The resolution works. But it is not listed in the regular resolution panel, even under "Show all Resolutions". After Vista reboots, the resolution is forgotten and the Test button procedure has to be done again.

Note to myself: Try this with UAC disabled.
Status: Sort of working.

Touchscreen
I went to lilliput.cn and got the latest touchscreen driver. The installer hung when it tried to scan for COM ports. I aborted that. Thankfully the download includes directories with inf files for 64 bit. In the device manager, I did update driver on the touchscreen. I think I installed the the touchkit setup before without touch screen connected. Anyway, after a bit of fiddling the touchscreen works, the Touchkit program works and the calibration works. Woohoo.
Status: Working.

GPS receiver
It's a USGlobalSat BU-353. The 64 bit driver installs and the receiver sends NMEA strings. However, the strings contain no coordinates. Reception of the receiver was good before. I've posted in the usglobalsat forum.

Status: Not working and unresolved.

6 Channel active audio with ASIO4All, Console and Virtual audio cable
To install VAC, you need to read the manual. There's a command line option to allow non-singed drivers for testing. This in general works but Vista forgot the setting after I cloned it to another disk. Console works. at least one VST plugin works. Asio4All works. I'm getting 6 channel active audio from the on-board HD Audio to a Genesis Five Channel amplifier. The channels are used to drive two tweeters, two midwoofers and one subwoofer.

The mainboard audio is not entirely silent. There's some digital sounding noise above hearing threshold when not driving. When driving, I don't hear it. I can upgrade to another audio solution but it's not high priority.

Status: Mostly working.

Hibernate and resume
This is still fubar. I set the power options to go to hibernate when the power button is pressed. Vista has this new hybrid hibernate mode. When I flip the ignition switch, the computer first goes in sleep, then wakes back up, then starts writing stuff to disk and in the middle of it the M2-ATX cuts the power. Wonder how to get real hibernate back?

Status: Not working.

Volume Control
I use a Griffin Powermate for volume control that I hacked to send mouse wheel. Then the volumouse software sets the volume of the sound device, in my case Virtual Audio Cable (VAC). Under Vista 64, volumouse does not work when the mouse is pointed to the desktop. It works when the mouse is pointed to a window.

Note to myself: Inquire with Nirsoft about this. Edit: Probably doing this with AutoHotkey. Open source too.

Status: Sort of working.

Not directly related to the install, but how on earth does one clone a Vista boot partition? XXClone worked well before under XP but Vista has a new boot loader scheme and xxclone reports errors. I cloned my Vista with DriveImage XML. But still the cloned drive would not boot because the Vista boot menu was missing. I had to repair the boot menu with the Vista install DVD. On a road trip, I need to have a working disaster recovery for the system drive. I just take a spare drive with a working system. But if I can't reliably clone drives this will be a nightmare.

Feel free to post any solutions! Thanks for reading.

TinyXp Beast Ed. NO Internet

sanchobob — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:08:49 GMT

Hello,

I installed tinyxp beast edition on my laptop and everything seems to be fine except I can't get on the Internet either by LAN or wireless. Its seems as though my hardware is not being recognized, so it could be that I don't have the drivers for setting up a network. Can someone please tell me how I can install these drivers?

Thanks in advance

ps- LAN and wireless work fine on Ubuntu Linux and Vista:mod:

looking for those Vista optimizing threads.

polo6979 — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:18:31 GMT

Search just brings up nothing helpful. Looking for quicker boot times, faster shutdown, shell hacks.... all that good stuff.

XP is easy to find this kinda stuff.

Intel D945GLF2 Optimization

Punky — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 19:25:47 GMT

So after reading so many thread on how slow boot this board is and how buggy the bios is, I got one for my family to use as a video surveillance recorder, but not after trying to make it my carpc first.
My first mission was to optimize the boot up time.
To my best efffort i got it to resume from hibernation in roughly 22 seconds in win7 and about 20 in TinyXp. Here are my settings.

First I installed everything, then went to the bios:
1) EXIT > Load Optimal Defaults
2) Advanced > Boot Configuration > Display Setup Prompt > OFF
3) Advanced > Peripheral Configuration > Serial Port > Disable
4) Advanced > Peripheral Configuration > Parallel Port > Disable
5) Advanced > Peripheral Configuration > On-Board Lan > Disable
6) Advanced > Drive Configuration > Use Automatic Mode > Disable
7) Advanced > Drive Configuration > Primary Channel > Disable
8) Advanced > Event Log > Event Logging > Disable
9) Advanced > ASF Support > Disable
10) Power > Keyboard Select > Disable
11) Boot > Boot Menu Type > Advance
12) Boot > Boot Drive Order > YOUR HDD THAT HOLD OS
13) Boot > Boot To Optical Devices > Disable
14) Boot > Boot To Removable Devices > Disable
15) Boot > Boot To Network > Disable
16) Boot > Boot USB Devices First > Disable

SAVE AND EXIT.

Then go to msconfig and enable 2 core on boot up, and maximum memory possible. If you don't know what I'm talking about, refer to this original thread here by Injector :
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/oper...-msconfig.html

Has anyone used Presto my PC?

obstacleman — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:32:04 GMT

I just saw an add for this in Laptop magazine and thought it might be useful in my carputer but have not tried it and am not near a machine I can right now. Has anyone tried this out to see if it would work with any of the front ends?

http://www.prestomypc.com

Thanks

Yet another boot speed optimization thread

snoboarder2k6 — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:00:12 GMT

So, I just got one of the pc bundles from the mp3car store, decent value btw. Anyway, I ended up with this.

I then installed TinyXP on the thing expecting decent boot times. Instead I got 2 minute cold start times and 1:30 hibernate times on a fresh install.

I tried a couple different things. First I tried bootvis. Got it installed ok, and it traces just fine. I just get an error when I try to optimize. This guy has the same problem.

I also got rid of most of the startup programs using msconfig and autoruns, but the problem remains that the thing spends about 30 seconds on the windows xp loading screen. (the one with the logo and the indeterminate progress bar).

After playing around with TinyXP and failing miserably trying to speed it up, I gave up and tried out the windows 7 beta, what with the promise of 15 sec boot times floating around and all. I'm pretty sure this slowed the thing down any more, and there's not much to do in the way of optimizing it. Bootvis doesn't even install, and I can't even get the usb drivers working, so I'm giving up on windows 7 for the time being.

I'm considering a linux install, but I'm quite fond of RideRunner and the DigitalFX plugin, so I'd like to keep a windows OS if possible.

Any Ideas?

And thanks all for reading this long winded rant...

20% decrease in boot time with Diskeeper... ?

Crinos — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:40:24 GMT

I just read an article on a Norwegian site, about this new and "awesome" product called Diskeeper. (http://www.diskeeper.com/).
In short, it's a real time defragmenter, keeping search times to its minimum...

I realy can't see the big use of this, unless one have everything on one drive... Personally I have allways one system drive, and atleast another drive for everything else than system. (And we're talking pysical here, I allways have two pysical drives).

And with SSDs.. don't even know if it's possible to defragment them?
Well.. It's probably possible, but don't think it really matters any..

Which OS should i use?

drummerian — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:44:08 GMT

Hey ppl,

So i am building a new car pc, here is the spec:
32GB SSD Hard Drive
Jetway mini-itx motherboard
INTEL�Atom Dual-Core 330 CPU (45nm,FSB 533MHz,1.6GHz,1MB L2 Cache)
2GB DDR2 RAM

So i am wondering which version of Windows to install.

I will be using either Road Runner or Centrafuse.

USB:
Touchscreen
BU353 GPS
USB Audio Converter Thingy

I have heard that win2k can give some amazing boot up times and i would like to keep boot times small, i think the SSD should help this. I was also considering win 7 but am unsure if it will have all the drivers i need?

So what's peoples opinions?

Thanks!

Speed up boot with buried features in msconfig

Injector — Mon, 25 May 2009 21:51:00 GMT

I happened to stumble upon this a little while ago.

First click on start (I�m using XP with a Vista theme, on some Vista machines you might have to enable the run box before, or just hit the windows key and R

Then click on Run

This dialog should appear, now type msconfig and hit OK

After this dialog appears click on the boot.ini tab

Now you should have various options, the first thing that you need to do is
select the windows boot line, most of the times it will be something like
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Professional"
(The only reason why I have more than one is because I have a recovery console and Linux), once you selected the correct line you can now enable some advanced options:

/safeboot: is self explanatory.
/noguiboot: removes the windows xp logo during boot with just a blank screen. (useful if you don�t want to change the logo but don�t want the XP logo either)
/bootlog: causes windows to write a log of the boot to the file %SystemRoot%\Ntbtlog.txt (useful for diagnosing boot issues)
/basevideo: causes windows to use the standard VGA display driver for GUI-mode operations. (useful if you currupt your video driver)
And my favorite
/sos: instead of displaying the windows logo it displays what is being loaded and executed (useful when you don�t know why your boot process is taking so long)

When you�re done with your options click on the �Advanced Options tab�
You should now see this dialog, the options we�re looking for are :

/maxmem: tell windows how much memory to use during boot
//numproc: in multicore system you can specify how many processors or cores windows can use for boot up.

After setting numproc to 2 my boot time reduced from 1:52:45 to 1:28:36 and setting the maxmem to all the memory my pc has gave me an extra 2 seconds

keep in mind this is my test pc not my carpc that why i have such high boot times.

also if you know what you're doing you can open boot.ini in notepad and add the switches in manually, but be careful if you do it wrong the system won't boot.

Hope this helps some of you.

How To: Make Windows XP More Touchscreen Friendly

Maheriano — Wed, 06 May 2009 02:02:03 GMT

Right click your desktop and hit Properties, then click the Appearance tab:

Change the font size to Extra Large fonts:

Click Advanced to get this screen:

Increase the size of the Icon item:

Increase the size of the scrollbar:

Click OK:

Click OK again and everything should be bigger now, and much easier to grab with your fat fingers! :peace:

Speech Componant

the_gooner — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 21:29:41 GMT

Ok stupid question maybe, im going back to my original idea of having the OS on a CF card. i nlited my XPsp3 down to around 500mb installed using a setting found on here. the only problem is as i use mappoint for GPS i need the speech componant done a search and found its under the accessiories. so used the same setings again but left the accessiories in, ok speech was there but didnt work.

anybody any ideas what i need to leave in or even better if someone else is using mappoint can the give me a copy of there settings, trying to get the full install down to under 2gb

cheers guys

Problem with hibernate

HugoCar — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:49:05 GMT

Hi I am new to the forum and would like me to help with a problem...

My computer takes 3 minutes!!! to hibernate and 20 seconds to deshibernate

Power off takes 40 seconds

Why??

CarPC Jetway VIA 2G Fanless Mini-ITX Motherboard + 1G Ram + winxp uE v8 +
only 15 procces charge in memory

More thaks and sorry for my english...I'm spanish

Restart explorer

Rillee — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 08:26:29 GMT

If explorer shell crash should it not just restart?
Is there a services that i have disable thats check if explorer is running?

XP or Mini XP?

DocShay — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 06:23:18 GMT

Installed XP awhile ago and tweaked it abit to try and reduce boot times - Tempted to go with Mini XP and tweak it as well to get even quicker boot times...

Anyone done this with success? Is there anything in Mini XP thats missing that I might need?

What I plan on using...

- Ride Runner (VLC player, Winamp)
- Game emulators
- GPS (M$ streets & trips)
- OBD-II software
- Firefox

Question about Codecs and Vista

HiJackZX1 — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:53:31 GMT

I just finished my Media Center PC and updated it to Vista. When I watch videos though, the white areas will be black. How do I correct this issue? I am using DivX 7.1

Boot loaders and mini-pcie flash

ajscomp372 — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 03:41:05 GMT

So the motherboard I am using (MSI Fuzzy GME965) has a mini-pcie slot on it (half-length). I want to use this slot for flash memory, much like an asus eee pc or a dell mini 9 would. I really doubt that the board could boot off of that though, so I'm thinking maybe I could use an IDE flash module just large enough to hold a bootloader (because IDE flash modules, at least the ones that just plug right in, are way too slow to put everything on there) and whatever else it needs to boot windows off the mini-pcie flash, then use that to boot off of the mini-pcie flash.

So, I have a couple questions.

1. Do you agree with me that the board probably won't boot from mini-pcie flash?

2. Is what I mentioned feasible, with the bootloader and all of that?

3. If it is feasible, or if it is not, how can I do either what I want to do, or something fundamentally similar?

N.B: Boot time isn't really a concern, as I leave it in standby all the time anyway.

Thanks in advance.

Can I delay startup of apps at boot?

bes51659 — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 07:35:57 GMT

I have put all applications that I want to run in .

Some of the apps gives me problem and does not start properly if there is no internet connection. Like BlueSoleil Dialer and Spotify.

I also have a problem with Navigator 7 that timesout before the GPS receiver has started properly.

I do not want to start theses applications manually so is there a way to delay the startup until all devices are up? I use WinXP.

Thanks

xp optimization with nlite

poing — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 22:26:18 GMT

Hi all, as the topic title say id like to know whats your settings for xp in your carpc :)

Vista Tweaker like TweakUI

bemenaker — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:11:36 GMT

http://www.winvistaclub.com/Ultimate...s_Tweaker.html

I just found this today. For people using Vista and most likely also Win7, this allows a lot of system configurations.

Help with a post times

LCat — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 07:12:03 GMT

My MSI IM-GM45 used to load very fast but now I have about 23-25 sec before all the post stuff is done and resume bar shows. I cant find what changed because night before we were doing some upgrades to the CarPC.
From device standpoint we have Supertalon SSD and Auzentech Prelude Sound Card on PCI, USB CDROM,USB Liliput Monitor, and GPS(BT353) + 32 GB Usb thumb drive on the hub. Once post is done it resumes 2GB memory footprint in about 6 sec or full boot in to CentreFuse in 17. Trying to speed things up a bit. What could have happend

vLite works with Windows 7 (X86 7048)

WuNgUn — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:06:06 GMT

Just for kicks, I decided to try and load my W7 setup files in vLite, and vLite took it without *****ing...NICE!

I'd like to see how 7 'handles' with it vLited down to basics, compared to Vista and XP.

I'm gonna try slimming it down and test it on Sun VirtualBox...

Need some softerware,Fordlink carcomputer,ARM Geode GX 533,X86,Wince5.0.

mying — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:25:31 GMT

Hi.

I have a machine named Fordlink and really need some help about software.X86 is not similar with ARM,so....

Details:
AMD Geode GX 533 1.1W 400MHZ
Microsoft windows ce 5.0
RAM：256M,
Hardriver:512M
TFT：8.4" TFT Active Matrix,800 x 600 SVGA ,touched
USB CF (IEEE 802.11b )
Sound：AC'97,mic,headphone
Battery:1000mAH，14W
100-240V AC,12V DC
Unit H x W x D: 7.9" (200 mm) x 9.6" (240 mm) x 0.8" (18 mm)*
1.9 lbs. (0.86 kg)

Thanks a lot.

Motherboard Post times

dunderchief — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:36:52 GMT

Good morning everybody.

I see plenty of threads for optimizing the operating system, and it seems that people have gotten this down to at least reasonable levels using tweeks and perhaps an SSD.

Can we start a discussion about those boards that have an extremely fast post time? I'm aware that the new Intel boards have great features, but may take 10+ seconds to post, while at least one offering from Jetway has sub 4 second post times, but suffers from USB errors.

Basically, I'm looking for the board that still offers the modern features necessary (SATA, 6+ USB2, ...), but has a minimum post time.

Also, I know that there are a few manufacturers with 0 post technology coming down the pipeline, but I'm under the impression that it only works with their proprietary OS.

I'll do my best to contribute, but I'm hoping someone already has some metrics.

Cheers
-Steve Strong
Strong Auto Concepts

Windows 7 SSD Optimization

ik632 — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:15:28 GMT

I have read that Win7 will have some optimizations to allow faster booting and operating off of SSD's. Is this a marketing gimmick or is there something to it?

Need to figure out the best way to power on/wake my PC, unique application

J187 — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 22:33:41 GMT

Hey guys. I am going to put a PC in my electric fireplace to run some MP3s, vids and such for my living room. There will be a nice LCD atop the fireplace, painted to match. I have the Streamzap remote and have already linked my Logitech Harmony 550 to it, works like a charm! However, the IR reciever is USB based, so there is no way to use the remote to Wake from hibernation or turn the pc back on. It will turn it off/hibernate/standby but not bring it back. I have tried disabling "allow the pc to turn off USB" in the USB root hub, and that didn't work.

What I want is some creative way to wake or power on this pc... It has to be practicle and convenient. I am considering wiring and Extra long cable to the power switch and remotely locating that, but I'd like to do better. Suggestions?

i am not getting any help on this....

brandensin — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:48:16 GMT

so, i post here even though it's not related with RR.. :)

Recently my carpc takes like 20 to 30 sec to shutdown... i googled and tried a few suggestions but none of them resolved my problem... Any of you guys have had this problem before and have some suggestions for me that worked for you?

Thanks...

xp takes too long to shutdown...:(

brandensin — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 07:23:25 GMT

it takes more than 10 secs.. maybe 30 sec.. to shutdown completely.. I don't know what has gone wrong... tried just about everything i could find from google... none solved my problme.... any idea guys?

thanks...

improve your computer's performance in Windows7

dMand — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:59:57 GMT

And you thought you already ran out of tweaking options? In AutoRuns, there are over 250 processes that can be tweaked to speed up your boot time. AutoRuns works on Windows XP and higher.

It's a great tool that may cut your start up time in half when used wisely. If you don't take much notice of your software installation processes, chances are that you have a long list of un-used programs loading in to memory once Windows starts up. With this fantastic program, you can see what they are and do something about it.

Of course, there are other ways to access the start-up list, for example through the registry, but this software gives you a little more security knowing that you won't bring the computer to its knees with no way back.

*word of caution to nonIT professionals: before fine tuning any adjustments, be sure to take a screen shot of each open tab in AutoRuns. This way, you will know what to do to quickly reverse the changes.

Version: 9.38 Size: 564KB
Works on: Windows
Download AutoRuns here, and tweak wisely :)

Windows XP crashes after car is turned off briefly

omehegan — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:04:11 GMT

My car PC is running Windows XP and the Centrafuse frontend on a Via EPIA MII motherboard with one of the older Opus 90 watt power supplies. I've had the same hardware for four years and started using Centrafuse about 2.5 years ago. I have the Opus set up to hibernate Windows after the car has been off for 20 minutes, so that if I stop to get gas or something like that the PC stays running normally. This setup worked fine for some time (maybe a year or more?), but eventually I started having this problem:

1. PC is running fine, music playing, etc.
2. Turn the car off completely, take key out, etc.
3. Turn the car back on after a couple of minutes, PC still appears to be running fine. Music resumes.
4. After less than a minute, music hangs/skips for a few seconds, and then Windows completely locks up (MP3 stops playing, mouse/touch screen doesn't work, etc).

The only thing I can do after this happens is unplug the PC and hard-reboot it. I would say that this happens one out of every three or four times I make a quick stop. Has anyone else had an issue like this? I suspect that something the Opus is doing is confusing Windows or the BIOS, but I have no idea what to do about it. Thanks in advance!

Another hibernation problem..

Squadfer — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:04:20 GMT

Hey, I read threw this forum to see if I could find a post that is close to my problem, however I couldn't find one. My problem is with Hibernating... some times it hibernates just fine. The other times it stays at the blue windows screen and just sits there doing nothing, the screen before it says its going into hibernate. I'm running an Intel D945GCLF, 500gb HD partitioned into 3 drives (50gbs for C, 425gbs for Media, 25gbs to test other Nlited OS's) 1gb ram, X-fi extreme audio sound card, Xenarc 700ts, m2-atx psu, with windows xp sp3 nlited. Can anyone tell me what can fix this problem? Thanks in advance :)

P.S. the computer is just being benched tested right now, want to make sure everything works before i put it in.

fbwf files

clarodina1 — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:06:49 GMT

Anyone has a clean pieces of the files below. Mind posting them?

fbwf.sys
fbwfdll.dll
fbwflib.dll
fbwfmgr.exe

Tks.

Will a small dedicated partition improve boot time?

emkman — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:54:51 GMT

I am installing windows XP on an intel mac mini to put in my car. I used the Apple Disk Util to format the Disk with an MBR, then you boot the Windows CD and install as normal. No Boot Camp involved. The mini has a 60GB HD, and I was wondering if it would be advantageous for fast booting to install Windows to a partition that is only a few gigs, instead of the whole 60. Has anyone done any comparisons of this?

Issue With Bluetooth Auto-Connecting When Resume From Hibernation or Cold Start

jmciver — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:10:08 GMT

I am using a Bluetooth USB 2.0 dongle to connect a few devices to my CarPc. In this case I have a Parrot Hands free device that allows me to stream audio from my carpc to my head unit via bluetooth (just like a bluetooth phone for example).

When the CarPC and head unit are connected (via bluetooth), everything works fine. However, when the car resumes from hibernation or a cold startup, the CarPC will not auto-reconnect to the bluetooth device, I have to manually connect the device. I have gone through the bluetooth menus inside XP Pro and checked various checkboxes for "auto-connect" that I could find, but still nothing.

Is there some other setting some place else, maybe a USB setting, that will allow the CarPC to auto connect to the BT devices when resuming from hibernation or cold start?

So What Is The Fastest Boot Up Time I Can Expect............??

jmciver — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 02:58:55 GMT

So what is the fastest boot up time I can expect using a normal version of XP Pro w/SP1, M10000 Via motherboard with 512 MB of memory? I have used OS optimizers such as TuneXP and TweakUI (but I admit that I am somewhat of a novice when it comes to using these programs for full OS optimization) and also adjusted several services to help free up resources.

Hibernation is out the window for me now since I ruined two batteries due to too many deep cycles, so a cold boot is my only acceptable option. I was able to get down to approx 30 secs from turn the key to RR up and running. So is this the best it is going to get without going out and buying some "compressed" version of XP or upgrading my hardware?

33 sec. to 60 sec after MicroXP

secured-nor1 — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:11:53 GMT

XP Standart Edition was booting the system in 33 seconds. I installed MicroXP v.0.82 to increase the speed but it doubles. Any ideas?

Help Stripping XP (Newbie)

blackcobra487 — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:13:47 GMT

I was thinking of posting in the "NT based" forum but I figured more eyes would see it here and I'd have a slightly better chance of getting help. I was hoping for a FAQ for this, but didn't notice one. I am running a full install of XP and am using hibernation. The resume time is tolerable, about 15-20secs after the M2 gets the IGN power. What isn't tolerable is the USB trouble that hibernating causes. I starting to think "cold boot" every time. With my current setup, that's closer to a minute, which is quite long. I know some people have XP stripped so well that they have cold boots just about as fast as mine resumes, so this I what I'm thinking of doing. I'm looking for any tips that would prevent me from screwing XP up and having to do a full install all over again. I've heard of nlite being used to remove services, is this what I need? Sorry to come across as such a newb, but I do appreciate the help.

Newbie here..

ems154 — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:27:55 GMT

I just came into this website by accident, but, I'd like to fine out how to build my own carputer & install it on '08 Impala. I'd like to be the first in my town to have it. If anyone can help me, I really appreciated. I has to be explained kinda Car PC for dummies, LOL! I have a spare PC just collecting dust, 180gb HD nvidia card, a cheap sound card. I think so anyway. The PC has Windows XP Home, I don't know what else I need? The PC case for car I can build it myself, no trouble. Just putting all this to work together on my car. Can anyone help?
Thanks,
ems154

[media]images/smilies/confused.gifimages/smilies/confused.gifhttp://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/images/smilies/confused.gif[/media]

hibernation and resume slower than shutdown/startup

americasfuture2 — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:28:45 GMT

going into hibernate and resuming from hibernate goes slower than just shutting my system down completely and restarting it. i have nlite'd my xp down to a 248mb image.

booting screen problem

Zo6om — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:13:13 GMT

hi all

i am try 2 connect my laptop with vga port carpc monitor it is not display (not show) boot screen at start pc

make noise in screen and after that display loading windows starting

(and try with my car pc it is same problem not display booting screen)

See Video Here

any one see same problem and have sulotion ?

waiting >>>>>>>>>>>>

Stripped out Xp

ctx32 — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:10:51 GMT

I have been reading some of the threads about TinyXp.
Is this what you use for a operating system?
I'm currently installing a Mini ITX board in my lifesize R2D2
and I'll need XP to run everything. But I don't need alot of features
that Xp wants to install. I just need the basics, Video - sound-etc.
I downloaded a tinyxp.zip file from another post and it said this helps to strip down xp. But I also noticed this file Nlite. Is this a easier way.
Once Xp is stripped down, My application will not need a mouse or keyboard connected
all the time. Will this be a problem?
Sorry NEWBIE
Calvin

Windows Resume Loader

JWise1203 — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 03:32:46 GMT

I get the following message on my CarPC (running Vista) if I turn off the PC while resuming from Hibernate (like moving my car from the driveway to curb):

Windows XP seemed to always use the first option. It never prompts you with a menu. Is there anyway to turn this menu off? Or suppress the message by specifying a default value?

....

Jantsa — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 09:54:52 GMT

......

Hibernation Tab gone?

overlander — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:24:36 GMT

I'm using Windows XP home on a Jetway C7J5, and I just did a full reinstall. In my initial install, my power options had the hibernation tab in the power options. Now it doesn't. I didn't change anything in the BIOS between the reimage, and I don't know where to look to try and reinable the option.

Any ideas?

......

Jantsa — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:11:43 GMT

......

Horm...

Custommx3 — Thu, 29 May 2008 13:58:04 GMT

Now that Ive gotten my carPC tweaked as much as I thought, now I want to improve my boot time. I coudl upgrade my hardware, but the $$ isn't worth a few seconds.

My questions.. HORM, does it require EWF?

Can I put 256MB of ram in my system, enable horm, and swap in a gig stick? Would this give me a small hibernate file and still be able to utilize 1Gb of ram?

WinCE startup & Gui

electro — Sun, 25 May 2008 18:29:32 GMT

Hi

I 've got a new 2-din car stereo , that has WinCe. When I start the system , a gui appears , with some menus.

1) Could I put a media file (image or video) and play automatic when the windows starts?

2) Can I change this gui and add some icons more , or add some features?

Ok, I Have to Admit (Vista)...

danielkh — Fri, 16 May 2008 23:58:11 GMT

Got my hybrid readydrive in and loaded XP. Not a lot of speed improvements (as expected). Out of S3 suspend, about 10 seconds to actually be able to do anything.

Then I loaded Vista Ultimate. Took awhile to go into standby, no biggy. But out of S3 standby? 2 SECONDS! And I haven't even tried Readyboost yet. I have to change over to the Casetronic C137 case so I can use the 4GB CF card. So much for that beautiful silver/black case that matched my car so well. lol

Ok, Chris31......Greatwhite.....any one else who is going to get a kick out of this.....

With the new motherboard, I will be able to take advantage of Readyboost, Readydrive, and Superfetch.....so........God, I hate saying this.....

:rofl: I will be running Vista Ultimate in my car! :rofl:
And it looks like it's going to kick XP's butt. Making that administrator account visible started changing my mind.

Anyone running tinyxp & Centrafuse with no problems

BIGGKATT01 — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:36:52 GMT

Is anyone successfully running tinyxp and Centrafuse as there frontend i'm doing my second install and I would like to get a better boot time I have done all the tweaks in a full windows install and the best I can get is 42 secs to my frontend. can anyone help

Questions about re-installing XP

Nola111 — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:31:51 GMT

Windows gurus: what exactly happens when I run a Repair of Windows XP?

I've run into a situation where I've got some serious driver conflicts and issues that are enough to warrant a new install of XP, but I'm wondering if I have to do a complete fresh install, or if a Repair will suffice. So what files get deleted/replaced/renewed in a repair install? And how about the registry... how is that treated in a Repair? I'm just trying to see if it's feasible to avoid a completely fresh install so as to not have to reinstall all my programs.

xp gamers edition

americasfuture2 — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 03:07:40 GMT

i got this off the newzbin newsgroups. here is what was in the read me file:

This is a slimmed down version of Windows XP. It is really fast because it doesn't have a lot of the crap that usually bogs down Windows like Internet Explorer. I really don't have that great of a description for this because this is not an official M*croso*t product. I tested this and it works really fast. It's not a good idea to install it alongside an official copy of Windows XP. No serial is required for the install and the OS doesn't need to be activated. Have fun with this and let me know how it goes.

it loads fast as hell, it does have IE on it. oh well. but it looks a lot cooler than what xp used to look like. its black, has a vista sorta look to it. with this, i am able to get 640x480 and get my eby701 to work again. when i plugged in my external HD's to it, it never loaded them. so that code is missing. my wifi usb dongle didnt work either. not sure what else does and wont work on this version.

tiny xp lang problem

Jawah — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:43:35 GMT

hello all
first i'm sorry for my lame english :/ i'm trying my best :p

ok here is my question,
i have tinyxp iso file and as i can see,
it doesn't has "hebrew" (its was removed)
is there anyway to add Hebrew? (to .iso ofcurse...)
if i download xp (with heb) and copy heb files to iso file?
should fix the problem?

any solution?

thanks alot.

Snir

Welcome screen, logon screen, how to get rid of them!!!

The1Architect — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:49:44 GMT

Dont like those welcome screen and logon screen when you start your system back from hibernation?

if you dont like tweaking alot with your system or using those different softwares that tweak your windows for you
you can get rid of the welcome and logon screen with a couple of clicks by unchecking two boxes.

first, disable the welcome screen by doing this:

Control Panel > User Accounts > change the way users log on and off > (uncheck) Use the welcome screen..

second, disable the logon screen/dialog by this:

Contral Panel > Display > Screen Saver (tab) > Power > Advanced (tab) > (uncheck) Prompt for password when computer resumes from standby
this option applies for hibernate as well

and you shall go from here:

To here:

Vista readyboost?

greatwhite — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:23:39 GMT

I just got my new HTPC and it came preloaded with vista. I'm reading and searching to get familiar with the new OS. While it was a PITA to begin with, as I hack at it, it's becoming more friendly (haven't run into driver or programs not running issues yet).

I ran across something called "readyboost". Apparently it uses a USB flash drive to speed startup. Has anyone tried it yet and does it make any ral difference in startup times?

I guess this also begs the question:

If it really does speed up boot times, why don't vista computers has flash memory built into the system already?

Cheers

HORM help please

CoryF — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 07:27:36 GMT

I just installed EWF and it is working great, I then added the "horm.dat" file to my root drive. When I hibernate windows goes into hibernation fine, but then when i trun the computer back on it starts normaly... If i remove the "horm.dat" file hibernation works fine, but once that file is in my root drive then hibernation stops working. If i type in the command "ewfmgr C: -activateHORM" or "ewfmgr C: -DeactivateHORM" I get a response "Failed to get HORM state".

I've been searching all night and i cant find anything so i :yield: .

Thank you for the help!! :)

Hello Everybody i'm new here and i need some help plz

b00gie — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:51:21 GMT

Hello =]

I downloaded Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 MSFP Emulator Images

when i run PocketPC - Coldboot it's all working everything is just fine !

But i have some problems with conections !

How i conect my Pc to PocketPC - Coldboot ???

i want to run IGO on it and i cant transfer the files =\

Please can someone help me with this problem ?

Please Point me in the right direction

blackchevyss — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 08:43:21 GMT

My car PC wont boot up Windows. I did a search on this site to see if there was a thread pertaining to my problem, but no luck.
When the PC gets powered up I get the initial "Intel" screen, and then it appears that it's gonna go to the "Windows" screen but instead all I get is a black screen stating...

"Windows can't start because the
Windows\system32\config\system
file is corrupt or missing. You may attempt to repair this by using the original Windows set up cd rom and selecting "R" on the 1st screen"

My problem is that I purchased my Car PC with the OS already installed and I don't have the original Windows CD Rom used to install the OS.
Is there anything I can do to fix this? Will I have to re-install Windows? If I do have to re-install my OS, that would basically mean that all the programs on my PC are lost too, huh? I never had to do a re-install so please excuse my ignorance. I really need to know where I can get a Windows XP OS CD Rom cause I don't want that Vista crap on my PC...

If there is a thread that can help me remedy this issue, then please point me to it cause my search didn't pull anything up that answered my questions....

Proper Hibernation setup, NOT Sleep for fast powerups...

WuNgUn — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 16:56:20 GMT

For those of you running Vista in their carputers (and probably Xp too), there is a proper way to configure the PC to shutdown for fast resuming...
By default, Vista uses "Sleep", which keeps a 5v rail powered to the RAM for fast resuming when powered back up...
Problem is, the M2 power supplies everyone uses does a 'hardoff', killing all power to the PC, and wiping the stored memory in the process...once the power comes back up, you have to do a full restart.

HOWEVER, you can enable and use Hibernation in Vista. Hibernation differs from Sleep, as it dumps the RAM onto the HDD instead keeping RAM powered up.
Inturn, you can completely power off the PC, and yet have it quickly (but not as quickly as Sleep mode) resume exactly where you left off when you shutoff the car!

Here is the website I found for enabling Hibernation and turning off Sleep...

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windo...windows-vista/

is it posible?

Jasonsherwood — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 14:16:30 GMT

can i have a Custom OS, for example Centerfuse (Google it if you dont know) and launch Windows form that? so say your just in the car going from place to place, you just use Centerfuse, but if your going on a long drive or plain on using windows can boot windows?

XP Remote Desktop

Injector — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:23:16 GMT

Does anyone know of a way to start a new session without disturbing the current user? with the built in software with xp it kicks off the current user, i know of third party apps like vnc and logmein, but they only allow you to control the current user logged in, what i want to do is to log into the carpc to make chnages like update music and so on without disturbing the current user logged in.

Need assistance improving boot time - Windows Xp - 12s

hidddenh — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 21:36:40 GMT

[Edited with updated info]
I have run into a brick wall trying to improve Windows XP boot time.

The problem i am having is that my CF card is increasing boot/hibernate time rather than decreasing it

This is a list of things i have which are available.

Hardware:
AMD Wafer-LX 500Mhz
256 / 512 / 1024 mb ram
80gb samsung HD / 20gb hitachi HD / 4gb Sandisk Extreme IV CF
(it has both a IDE cable and a IDE CF slot)

Software:
Windows XP (nlited)
12 services running
Minlogon
EWF
HORM

Specific Programs:
VLC
Winamp
Firefox

Nlite install(192mb) - Windows XP installed 300-350mb.

POST is 5-6 seconds!

XP Boot / Hibernate (with post)
With HDD - Boot time 20-24 seconds, hibernate 12 seconds
With CF - Boot time 20-25 seconds, hibernate 19 seconds

With a specially built linux this setup boots in 7-8 seconds with post.(including GUI)

I would really like to get XP under 10s from hibernate.

The Boot time increase occurs when the Windows XP loading screen is (blue cubes scrolling from left to right)

HDtach says - HDD 31mb/s - CF 29mb/s

Bios says - HDD / CF both run in UDMA

The problem i am having is that the CF card is increasing my boot rather rather than improving it. I believe it should not.

So far these are the things i have tried to reduce boot time:
1) Changed memory modules , it does not change anything regarding hibernate speed.
2) Changed the default windows shell (explorer.exe)
3) Tried with/without horm/ewf did not matter
4) Tried using a sata-cf converter, made it worse
5) Multiple tests with network(disable) , did not yield any definite results

I did attempt more things , dont think they are noteworthy.

What i am thinking may be wrong is that Windows XP is using a lesser driver when loading XP from CF than HDD. Perhaps the driver that NTLDR uses could be changed to a better one ?

However at this point any idears are welcome.

[Update]
Using bootvis i can see that my CF card has a 9 second delay after it loads ISAPNP.SYS
Next it loads scsiport.sys and after that everything is normal.

Does anyone know exacly what happends when ISAPNP.SYS loads that would affect my CF but not my HDD ?

Suspend problem in Windows XP

ptk — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 01:45:29 GMT

Dear all,
I am facing a bizzare problem which i have never deal with in the past.

I recently build a new system based on AOpen i945GMt-FA, and Core2-Duo 1.66GHz. System is powered with a carnetix p2140.

I have initially install Vista but decided to go XP pro sp2 in view of the overly bloated Vista installation.

However, after installation, I noticed that despite listing the system as a ACPI-multiprocessor system, there is no option for suspend/hibernation. Even APM option is not listed. All other system device were detected correctly and driver installed correctly after running the Intel installer.

please help

thanks

kao

Two windows installed.

chvybeatsford — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:50:36 GMT

Ok i have a CF card with the os installed on it already.I was wondering if i wanted to test and see if a 3.5 hd would be better that it would ok for me to remove the CF card and put the standard hd as master and install xp i would still be able to put the cf card back in and not have to reinstall Xp on the card?

Thanks.........

I aslo have a post in General Hardware if u dont mind looking at.

THANKS

BulletXp and Hiberation

Nygie — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:55:57 GMT

Is this possible?
The option is not there!
I have checked the tick box in power management.
Is it possibly something in the BIOS, it's a brand spanking Motherboard, so would expect support for it!

Thanks

HELP....Car PC self hibernates!

HJC — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 23:06:38 GMT

Hello all,

I got a carPC that goes into hibernation on it's own after 5 minutes only in this certain situation:

-When I have music on PAUSE.

AND

-Only after coming out from hibernation. If it's a fresh restart it stays on indefinetly.

AND

-Only when Road Runner is running. If I exit out to the Desktop, it also stays on indefinetly.

System specs:
Intel D201GLY "Little Valley"
1GB Ram
80GB Fujitsu HD
BU353 GPS
Lilliput 7" touchscreen

RR version 12/06/07
Winamp 5.13
WinXP Media Center 2005
Power settings in XP are set to Always ON.

I can tell it's not a wireing issue cuz it stays on if music is playing or during a fresh restart. Any advice on where to start checking?

Thanks

what os best for Dell GX150 carpc

adamopel — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 12:20:46 GMT

Hy
my pc is a Dell Optiplex GX 150, whit 1Ghz, 128Mbram(at the moment.....i have 512mb ram in a single module but dosent work :( , maybe 256MB ).

I dont know that os to use.
On the carpc i want to play: mp3, movies(not mutch), navigation(igo or mio maps),car diagnostic, bluetooth(handsfree).
what os can i use.really dont want to use windows it is unstable and in time it slow.
Can i run IGO or MIO maps on linux(wine) or if exist other emulator?

At home use slackware(whit kde interface) and it rock stable.on past have try Mandrake, redhat, suse...but always have return to slackware.i want to try Ubuntu, debian, LinuxICE.
The software support(rpm,deb,) for those os is biger than for slack :(
LinuxICE have support for my board?
Witch os is best for my pc?(drivers suport, stable,fast boot, and maps support?)

Wireless Settings: Need help circumventing my stupid Group Policy

Nola111 — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 21:27:34 GMT

Hey pros, I have a company laptop and I can't connect to any ad-hoc wireless networks when I'm away from the office because it won't let me change the setting ('Advanced' under Wireless Settings and try to change the "Networks to Access" setting from "Access Point (infrastructure) networks only" to "Any available network (access point preferred)." When I try to make that change, I get the irritating "At least one of your changes was not applied successfully to the wireless configuration" message, because of my company's stupid a$$ group policy.

I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what registry key I need to tweak to either make the change I'm trying to make, or tell Wireless Zero Config to ignore my group policy.

Thanks.

Win XP: Is there a command line to delete only certain filetypes?

Nola111 — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 20:55:15 GMT

I have approx. 12,000 music files on my harddrive, and half of them are mp3's and half of them are wav's. I want to delete all of the wav's and none of the mp3's. All of my music is arranged in Music\Artist\Album\Songfiles format. Is there a command line to delete ONLY the wav's without having to go into each individual folder?

For example, if I wanted to go in and unhide all my folder.jpg files in my music directory, I can browse to the root folder in DOS, and type the following:

'attrib -s -h -r *.jpg /s'

and it will go in through all of my folders and unhide everything with a ,jpg extension.

Does a simple line like this for deleting only certain filetypes exist?

Thanks

WinCE 5.net GUI, Dashboard, Frontends & Applications

Thrimed — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 21:34:33 GMT

Hello There.

I got a 2DIN (Dubble Din) CarStereo with a ugley looking Interface (GUI or UI if thats exists)

The Operation System is WinCE 5 .net and the Hardware is following
7" Touchscreen
GPS Integrated SIRFIII, 20Channel (Im running Route66 Mobile Now)
Samsung 400MHz
128Mb Ram
128mb Rom
Secure Digital
USB
and some kind of NAND Flash Integrated?

Is there any Dashboard, Frontends or some kind of Multimedia Applications thats Run Movies, MP3;s and got a better GUI and Equlisers and so on ?

Im even intrested of a list of applications you guys can recomend.
Application List follows in the next post...

Pictures
http://www.wgf.se/galant_sportdeluxe/media3.JPG
http://www.wgf.se/galant_sportdeluxe/media5.JPG

Thanx
//Thrimed

Ram: 256 ou 512 MB ?

MoDu — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 20:45:01 GMT

My car pc is based on 1,4 GHz centrino laptop, and I recently tried to remove half the memory, so to have a faster hibernate. However, I don't know how far this affects the performance while using the system.

Memory usage uas about 230 MB with centrafuse and windows xp, everything loaded.

Is it worth, for a faster hibernation?

My experience with Minlogon and CF

Spawn12336 — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 19:02:30 GMT

So, after last winter's fun of having to warm up the 80G hard drive on my carputer by running it through 20 or so boot cycles, I opted to make the jump over to CF (and before anyone starts in on me about using different methods like usb, whatever, I looked at them all and CF is the most appropriate solution for my install). Basic setup is that I will be using an 8GB Sandisk Ultra II CF Card that will have EWF running, containing a full install of xp, roadrunner, winamp pro, and iguidance with all (that's right, ALL) of the maps. I haven't decided if I will use a second CF card to store the music, or just use my ipod video as the drive.

I've been working on this for almost a week now (long story which I shall spare you all from, suffice it to say I have installed xp 6 times). I have come to a few conclusions that would be meaningful to share with anyone trying this out for themselves.

The first one... save yourself some time and effort, right after you install your os, and download/install all of the updates... USE WHATEVER PROGRAM YOU WANT, BUT BACK IT UP TO AN IMAGE!! Simply so that you won't have to do it all over again if something buggers up along the way. I am currently using PowerQuest DiskImage, and it works perfectly. Also comes with a nice boot disk that you can copy over to the cf when you are ready. It sounds excessive, but I have run the backup after each component was installed, and i mean each one! It only takes like 5 minutes to back up a 5G install anyway, and it's worth it if something happens. It will also come in handy when the CF card reaches the end of it's llife span.

Second, install all of your drivers and updates BEFORE installing and using minlogon. For some stupid reason, you can't install any windows updates or drivers properly when it is running. I tried 4 times last night to get my bluetooth adaptor running, before finally disabling minlogon and returning to winlogon. Also make sure that you are using the version of minlogon from the service pack 2 update to windows xp embedded, it's the one dated 2004. Reason being that this is the one that will allow you to standby/hibernate properly.

I am currently at the point where I have to mount the computer back in the truck to do the install of the lilliput and gps receiver drivers, then installing EWF, enabling HORM, backing up the last time (i hope) and deploying to the CF. This will all be happening this weekend, so wish me luck.

Boot Time and Software Questions

thebigwhitey — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:55:41 GMT

Alrighty, so I am new to this and I would like to get my laptop set up to run everything audio in my car. I have a couple questions regarding the software my laptop would run:

1-Can I boot straight to a program instead of going to windows?
(would that make a difference in time?)

2-If so, is there a program I could use that would control my audio, as well as DVDs?

3-I was planning on throwing my music on an external Hard Drive I had, and plugging that into the laptop- so, if I boot to a program, will the program recognize that w/o Windows?

Like I said, I'm new to this, and am a little overwhelmed. I'd really like to get this first project under my belt, so any help would be great. Thanks in advance
Kyle

Update WinCE embedded on head unit

Xru55 — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:28:55 GMT

Hi All
First post and new to MP3car.com
Have searched far and wide for a similar situation but to no avail. My situation is, I've purchased an all-in-one DVD TV GPS Bluetooth USB SD double din head unit off of EBay (China model) and so far I'm very impressed. All functions as advertised but I was hoping to upgrade the OS and maybe change some of the dated icons and backgrounds. Reading through the forums, I've come to believe that the OS is Wince 4.2 embedded on the 64MB rom with 64MB ram. Is it possible to extract a rom image to a PC, extract the rom files, edit the icons, background etc re compile the image and then flash the rom with the newly compiled image? Any help most appreciated.

Booting from CF

ctsoccer13 — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 06:38:00 GMT

OK, I've exhausted all of my options and now I'm tired of seeing my efforts fail, so I'm hoping someone can find a solution.

I know a lot of you use a CF card for your OS because the CF card is more stable than most drives. My only problem is how to get it on there.

I have installed the OS onto a laptop hard drive and optimized it. I prepared the CF card by using fdisk, format, and bootprep while booting into DOS. I encounter a problem when trying to copy the files over. When I try to use my DOS disk to copy, I can't seem to get a partition set to the location of the files on the laptop drive, thus I can't utilize the features of xcopy. When I try it with another OS on a separate computer, the xcopy command locks my computer up and does not allow me to do it. When I attach both of the drives to my carpc and use the xcopy feature, I get sharing violations and files in use.

So, now I'm in a pickle. I've thought I had it working once only to find that I get numerous disk errors when I try to boot the OS from it. I assume that this could be caused by not actually having all of the necessary files, but the error I get when I try to boot reads:

Disk Error
Press any key to Restart
DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER

Also, I know this will make some of you guys have chills down your spine, but I tried simply installing my nlite-d XP onto the CF card with the installation cd. I thought it would work--it completed the installation, but the I got the same error.

For those who it may help, I am using a 4GB Transcend x266 Compact Flash card with a CF-to-IDE converter.

Please, if someone can help, I would really appreciate it. It's my last step in installing my new, upgraded PC and I'm racking my brain for options, but I can't seem to get anywhere.

Thank you for any help!
CT

How can I setup a dual boot system ?????

tolisn — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 08:59:49 GMT

Hi.

I just obtained a copy of Bullet XP and I'm trying to setup a dual boot system to try it out. I'm trying to cut down boot time on my car pc but also retain functionality.
Is there any way to setup a dual boot system that has Win XP and Bullet XP ?

Used my Valid Windows Key to much what to do?

troy1001 — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 02:55:14 GMT

Hey i was forced to make my first post so i thought that this would be a good one.
I have a valid copy of windows xp home edition.
I've been trying to set up my carputer and have re-installed xp home about 5 times and now when i try what i had hoped would be my final install microsoft says that i have installed to many times and now muct spend $199 in order to get a valid copy of xp....
i've read over the website what should i do now?
*yes i am planning to switch to mac :)

Long delay at XP boot logo

marshallh — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 02:22:19 GMT

My car PC is almost ready to go - boot time would be phenomenal except for one thing:

As soon as the XP splash logo (the one everyone replaces) appears, my Maxtor hard drive slows its spindle motor and it just sits there. For about 40 seconds. Then, it kicks back in gear and a few seconds later my desktop is loading.

I have a EPIA 800 mini-itx board with 320mb ram, and a 20gb hdd.

This occurred since I installed XP - installing VIA 4-in-1 drivers did nothing. I updated the bios from 1.09 to the latest and no change there.

I have tried different hard drives with clean installs of XP - always waits like that.

Any ideas? I'm so close but that 40second wait really kills the practicality of a Car PC IMO.

Removing boot record from CF

crooper — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:15:07 GMT

I have a 4 gig CF that I'm using to boot off of. Awhile back in desperation as I tried to figure out how to get it to boot, I accidently installed a boot manager called Smart Boot Manager. This sits for 30 seconds, waiting for me to hit the enter button to select the boot device (I don't want to have to do that) I can't get it to uninstall, and I've tried repeatedly to delete the MBR using tools such as Smart FDisk. It's still there. I want it gone. Does anybody have any suggestions?

partiton, dual operating sytem help

mygti02 — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 02:22:33 GMT

right now i have Vista installed and i want to load XP pro on it so i can run a specific program. It wont run on vista, thats why i want to put XP pro on. I tried doing this with two hard drives in, but i can get the option to select what OS i want to load :( any help would be great. Thanks!!

TinyXP Beats Editon and GDI

mauri — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 11:24:10 GMT

How to do for having the complete function of the GDIs by Microsoft with the TinyXP Beast Edition?

Thanks

Mauri

xp messages at startup

Snortonnorton — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 18:24:41 GMT

How do I get rid of the warning balloon that says "you don't have an antivirus installed".

is this in msconfig under startup tab? and if so, what is it called?

it's annoying because it will display over top of Road Runner.

thankyou

Windows Automotive

Thelgord — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 21:46:35 GMT

Microsoft has a special version of windows mobile for media and navigation.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsautomotive/default.mspx

Linking Files Help needed

tn6478 — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 00:57:21 GMT

I want to be able to redirect a file located in my read only partition to be read from a writeable partition. Is this possible.

Example: config.ini located in C:\program files\mobile impact\config.ini

want it to be redirected to

D:\config.ini

anyway to be able to mirror this.

HOW TO: change the hibernate settings to a extended time?

strohj — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:56:07 GMT

Hi,

I am trying to set my carpc to go into hibernate after 48 hours or more... in windows I only have the option for up to 6 hours.. how do I change it to such a extended time?

I have seen people mention that they have theirs set to 36 hours or more .. but I would like to know how they change that setting